“Hey! Jeneva!” I call out.
“Oh my god, Scarlett!” She rushes toward me, pulling me into a hug. “I was about to come looking for you. How did I do tonight? Be honest.”
“You were amazing,” I say. “Every scene was perfect, and I mean it.”
“My wig started to slip through my first solo song.”
“I didn’t notice at all.”
“Swear?” She furrows a brow. “What about the slight crack in my voice in the finale?”
“What crack?”
“Okay, I believe you now.” She pulls me into her arms again, hugging me even tighter. “I wish you didn’t have to leave tonight. I’d want you to go out to dinner with all of us.”
“I’d be willing to change my flight, but…” I look over my shoulder and lower my voice. “Jameson is here, so…”
Her smile fades. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I shrug. “I’ll be fine. It’s one step toward getting over him, and I can’t be afraid to ever see him in person, so—”
“Shit. I need to tell you something.” She cuts me off, pulling me off to the side.
She looks around and then pulls me away again into a small closet.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask.
“Your boyfriend—”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Whatever.” She places her hands on my shoulders. “He’s been sending me stuff every week—flowers and gift cards with ‘Tell me where Scarlett is or else’ notes.”
“What does he mean by the ‘or else’ part?”
“I haven’t found out.”
“Why are you just now telling me this?”
“You said you never wanted to hear his name or discuss anything about him.”
True… “So, you didn’t tell him I was going to be here tonight, did you?”
“Hell no.” She scoffs. “I just want you to know that he’s been trying to reach you…And there’s this lady that’s been watching me here and there, too. I think she’s stalking me for him. Maybe?”
“Definitely,” I say, knowing that the woman is probably Rachel.
“I promise I haven’t said a word to him.” She looks genuine. “I don’t know how he knew you’d be here.”
“It’s my fault.” I shake my head, realizing he probably put two and two together when I texted him out of anger a few days ago.
“Nothing to worry about, though.” I force a smile and pull out a small red gift box from my purse. “Here’s your lucky Broadway debut gift. Open it when you’re by yourself.”
“Will do.” She hugs me again. “Would you like me to show you to the back alley?”
“Please.”
She smiles and opens the closet door, escorting me through the backstage area.